Type-writing machine.



Patented Dec. 21, 1915.

Mm w n n W; E 7 v w 4% M @neww H. A. MOYEB,

TYPE WRITING MACHINQE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3. 190a. 1,,1fi d, Patentedl 11%. 21, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

HARVEY A; MOYER, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 JED/[MIT LAULTA, 0F SYCUSE, NEW YORK.

TYPE-WRITING- MACHINE.

, Specification of Letters Patent. 1

Patented Dec. 21, T9915.

Application filed February-3, 1908. Serial L To. 413,942.

To all whom, it may concern Be it known thatI, HARVEY A. MorER, a citizen of: the United States, residlng at Syracuse, ,in the county of Onondaga and.

I The primar object of the invention is to produce an e cient and desirable shifting mechanism of exceedingly simple and inexpensive construction adapted, by the simple depression of a shift key or lever, to produce a variable motion of the shifting part, whether the platen or the type-support, for

starting the same slowly, then accelerating and finally retarding its motion as it approaches the limit "of its movement, where- 4 by the shift can be effected quickly and with less exertion, noise and shock than usual; also to construct the shifting mechanism so that in addition to accomplishing these results the device, which edect-s the shift without the addition of other parts, will positively hold the shifting part from reboundingor vibrating when shifted from either of its positions to the other; also toso construct v and arrange the shifting mechanism that it Y longitudinal sectional elevation o tional elevation thereof, in line 2 2, Fig. 1,

will afford a firm stable support for the shifting part but will nevertheles consist of fewer'parts than ordinarily required; and to improve the construction of shiftingmechanisms for the intended purpose in the particulars hereinafter described "and set forth in the claims. I

. In the accompanying drawings, consisting of four sheets: 'Figure'l is a fra entary a ypewriting machineprovided with mechanism embodyingthe invention for shifting the platen carriage. Fig.2 is a transverse 'sec omitting the platen carriage. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of a slightly modified-construction. Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the shifting cam Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the stationary frame of the 7 machine, B the platen, C the carriage on which the platen is journaled and which, as usual, travels transversely of the machine, and D one of the type-bars. A visible writing machine is illustrated in which the typebars are pivoted on a segment or support d located below the platen and swing up wardly and rearwardly to make the impressions at the front side of the platen. These partsfmay be of the usual or any suitable construction. The type-bars are furnished with two. sets of type, one of which is nor: mally in proper relation to the platen for printing, while the other set of type can be placed in such printing relation either by shifting the platen or the type-bar support. In the constructions shown in Figs. 1-4:, thetype-bar support is stationary and the platen carriage is shifted, for which purpose the carriage is preferably supported by and travels transversely on a shift frame E which is pivoted'at the opposite ends of its rear portion to the upper rear portion of the'frame A, at e, in any suitable manner, so that it can swing vertically. A spring Fig. 1, is shown connected at opposite ends to the main frame and to a lug on the shift frame for counterbalancing the weight of the shift frame and carriage which it supports.

F represents a rock arm which is pivoted in the lower portion of the machine and supports the front central part of the shift .frame. A cam bearing or connection is providedbetween the rock arm and the shift .frame for swinging the latter vertically sides of the machine and suitably fulcrumed' ver k r The rock arm could be pivotally supported in any suitable manner, but is preferably secured to the central part of a horizontal rock shaft I which is journaled at itsends in'suitable bearings e on the sides of the main frame, and at its central portion in a bearing bracket 6.

erably arranged longitudinally at opposite between their ends, forinstance, on pivots k rojecting from the sides of the main frame. he front ends of the levers are furnished with finger keys (not shown), and the upper edges of their rear ends are convexed or rocker-shaped and bear against the lower edges of rocker. arms is which are secured to and project forwardly from the rock' shaft I. The key levers are held in the normal posi tion with their front ends raised, and returned to such'position' after actuation, by springs k one of which is shown in Fig. 1, coiled around their pivot bearings and connected to the levers and bearings, and-the rock arm is pushed forwardly 'with its bearing roller 7 in the front end of the cam slot 9, and the rocker arms is held down 2,. coiled around the opposite ends of the rock shaft and connected to the same and to the bearings for the rock shaft. Any other suitable means for returning '.the\ key levers and rock arn to the normal however, be employed.

The described connections between the shift keys and rock arm are desirable for position could,

' the following reasons They give the shift keys great leverage at the commencement of their movement while they are overcoming the. inertia of the' shifting parts, and the leverage decreases as the movement continues, so that the shifting parts start easily and the operators fingers are relieved from shock, wh'le the full depression of the shift key can b made with butlittle difference in the force required? The shift keys move smoothly and friction between the same and the rocker arms is practically eliminated, and the rock arm can be actuated by the depression of either shift key and the otherkey will remain-stationary in its normal position. The rock arm could, however, be piv oted in the machine and operated by any other suitable connections from a shift key or keys conveniently located. Another connection which is shown in Fig. 5 will be described later.

The cam slot g, as stated, is in the form of a reverse curve and it is so disposed with reference to the pivotal axes of. the shift frame and rock armthat when the bearing roller f is in its normal position in thefront end of the slot, two lines at and 3 Fig. 1 intant results are incident to this arrangement, viz. :It enablesthe [roller to move slightly before starting'theshift frame and to then start the shift frame with a slow motion, which gradually increases until the roller reaches about the middle of the slot, K K represent two shift key-levers prefand then gradually decreases and finally ceases just before the roller completes its movement. The shift frame can therefore be started easily and the gradual stopping thereof prevents vibration of the same, and

the platenwhich it supports, which causes shouldbe of such curvature as toallow the roller to be started back to the on the key levers by springs '70, Figs. 1 and normal position by the 'return springs for therocleand slotted cam without requiring any additional parts.

Instead of the described relative arrange.

ment of the bearing roller and cam slot, the cam could be arranged to locate the roller at the intersection of the described lines a: andy when in the rear end of the slot in the shifted position of the parts, or when at a point between the ends of the slot, with normal and shifted positions by the roller good results, but the described arrangement is preferred. By locating the shiftingcam connection at the central front 'portion of. qthe shift frame, it, together with the pivots 6, forms a very firm or stable three-point or triangular support for the shift frame and stop which limits the movements of the shiftframe' in both directions, with much less.

. greatly simplifies the construction, as only incense noise than the stops usually employed; they prevent the shift frame from overrunning the movement of the shift key, and also hold the shift frame from movement in case the machine is turned upside down. The rockarm F forms a rigid brace between its pivotal support and the shift frame, and as the severe strains caused by the tendency of the shift frame to rebound act in the direction of the length of the arm, the rock-arm, together with the widely separated pivots e at the'rear of the frame, forms a very stable support for the shift frame.

While the cam has been described as being in the form of a reverse curve, and adapted to produce both an accelerating and a retarding motion of the shifted part, this shape is not necessary when a rocker shift lever is used to operate the cam, as that pro vides the accelerating motion, and the decreasing leverage of the rocker shift lever acts to preventshock to a great extent when the parts reach shifted position. The intermediate portion of the cam should, however, be oblique or inclined to effect the shift,

and the end portions thereof that form the rests for the roller are made one on each side of the line of the oblique portion of the cam to enable the roller to positively lock the shift frame against rebound. The essential point is to make the cam with a part at each end that permits the roller to move thereon after the shift is efiected, and before the shift movement begins, Without disturbing the position of the shift frame, and to locate the pivots of the rock-arm and shift frame so that any tendency of the shift frame to move either up or down when the roller is in either of its rest positions will be in the direction of the lengthof the arm or on a line radial with the pivotal axis of the rockarm so that the arm acts as a lock to prevent movement of the shift frame in either direction. By providing this slight dwell, or movement of the roller intoand out of its rest positions without moving the shift frame, the parts form a positive lock for the shift frame in both its positions and entirel overcome the trouble heretofore caused y the tremulous action of the shifted part when doing rapid work. The rest parts of the cam are made long enough to permit the shift arm to vibrate slightly without moving the roller into the oblique operative part of the cam, and such vibration of the arm does not permit the shift frame to vibrate.

Suitable means are preferably provided, as usual, for locking the shift frame in the shifted position Without requiring the shift key to be held down, butsuch means form no part of the invention and are not shown.

Figs. 3 and a illustrate a shifting mechanism in which the-cam connection between the rock-arm and shift frame is reversed, the cam G being formed on or secured to the rock-arm F while the bearing roller f is journaled on the bracket or extension H on the shift frame.- The roller is journaled on'.

the machine. By loosening the pivots for the shift frame, the frame can be lifted clear of the pivot supports on the main frame and then moved sidewise to disengage the roller f from the cam slot g. In this modification the roller normally occupies the rear end of the cam slot as the rock-arm is swung rearwardly to effect the shift, and the pivotal axis of the rock-arm F is located higher than in the other construction, but thelocation of the axis of the rock arm is unimportant so long as the bearing roller f occupies substantially-the relation to theaxes of the shift frame and rock-arm before described.

Fig. 5 shows a mechanism embodying the invention for shifting the type-bar segment or support instead of the platen. In this construction the segment 01 is supported so as to move vertically on upper and lower parallel links or arms L and M. The upper links L are pivoted at Z to the ends of the segment and secured to the opposite ends of a rock shaft Z suitably journaled on the main frame, while the lower link M is suitably pivoted at its front end at m to the central part of the segment and at its rear end at m to the main frame. The segment is thus held upright but permitted to move vertically. F is a rock-arm provided at its upper end with a bearing roller f working in a reversely curved cam slot 9 in the lower supporting link M for the segment; The rock-arm is secured at its lower end to a rock shaft I suitably journaled in the I main frame.

working in the cam slotwill raise or lower the segment, producing an accelerating and retarding motion thereof similar to that of the shift frame produced by the roller and reversely curved slot in the other constructions. Obviously, the cam slot could be provided in the rock-arm F and the roller secured to the segment-supporting link M, or either the cam or roller could be provided directly on the segment instead of on the ready detachment of the shift frame from When the rock-arm F is swung -rearwardly or forwardly, the bearing roller tion with a member which is shiftableto change the. printing relation of the platen motion shown in 5 could, if desired, be used in the other constructions described.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a member which is shiftable to change the printing relation of the platen and type, of cooperating relatively movable parts one of which has acam which engages the other part and one of'which parts is connected to said member, means for moving one of said parts 111 one direction from one position to another, and means for causing the return movement of said part, said cam having an obliquemiddle portion whichacts .to shift saidmember when said movable part and type, of shifting means for said member comprising a stud, and a cam having a cam slot in which said stud slides, one of said parts being connected to said shiftable member, a rock arm carrying said other part,

means for moving said rock arm in one di-.

rection from one position to another, and

means for causing the return movement of sald rockarm, said cam slot having a por- .tion which extends obliquely to the are of movement of said rock arm and acts to shift said member when said rock arm is moved and opposing faces substantially concentric with the pivotal axisof said rock arm which engage said stud and act to hold said member from vibration when said rock arm is in either of its rest positions.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a member which is shiftable to change the printing relation of the platen and type, of cooperating relatively movable parts one of which has a cam slot in which the other part slides, one of said parts being connected to said shiftable member and one being a rock arm for shifting said member, a key lever having a rocker connection with said rock arm for moving said rock arm in one direction from one position to another, and means for causing the return movement of said rock arm, said cam slot having a shifting portion which extends obliquely to the arc of movement of said rock arm and acts to shift said member when said rock arm is moved and holding portions which act to hold said member from vibra-. tion when said rock arm' is in either of its .rest positions, substantially asset forth.

4-. In a typewriting machine,the combination with a member which is shiftable to change the printing relation of the platen and type, of a rock-arm having a cam slot, a part connected to said member and arranged to slide in said camslot, means for moving said rock-arm in one direction from one position to another, and means for causing the return movement of said rock-arm, said cam sl'ot having an oblique middle portion which acts to shift said member when said rock-arm is moved and end portions substantially concentric with the pivotal axis of the rock-arm which act to hold said member from vibration when said rock-arm is in either of its rest positions, substantially as set forth.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a member which is shiftable to change the printing relation of the platen and type, of cooperating relatively movable parts one of which has a reversely-curved cam face which is held in sliding engagement with said other part, one of said parts being connected to said member, means for moving one of said parts in one direction -from.one pos1t1on to another, and means ranged to hold said member from vibration when said movable part is in either of its rest positions, substantially as set forth.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a member which is pivotally supported at one side and is shiftable to change the printing relation of the platen and type, of cooperating relatively movable parts whichare located substantially midway between the ends of said shiftable member at the opposite side thereof and one of which has a cam which is held in sliding engagement with said other part, one of said parts being connected to said member, 'means for moving one of said parts in one direction from one position to another, and means for causing the return movement of said part, said cam having a shifting portion which acts to shift said member when said movable part is'moved and holding portions which act to positively hold said member from vibration when said movable part is in either rest position, substantially as set forth.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a member which has bearings at its opposite sides and is shiftable to change tion from one position to another, and

means for causing the return movement of 7 said part, said cooperating parts acting to nieaeeyo shift said member when said movable part is moved and to automatically hold said member from vibration when said movable part is in either rest as set forth.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a member which is pivotally supported atone side thereof and is shiftable to change the printing relation of the platen position, substantially and the type, a single rock-arm which formsthe sole support for the opposite side of said member and is located substantially midway between the ends of said member, a cam and a part held in sliding engagement therewith which connect said rock-arm to said member, and means for operating said rock-arm, said cam having a face which acts to shift said member when said rock-arm is mbved and a face at the end of said shiftinguface which acts to positively hold said member from vibration, substantially as set forth.

9. Ina typewritlng machine, the combination of a member which is shiftable tochange the printing relation of the platenand the type, a single rock-arm which is located substantially midway between the .ends of said member, a cam on said rock arm, a part connected to said member and held in sliding engagement with said cam,-

and means for moving said rock-arm in opposite directions, said cam having an oblique facewhich acts to shift said member when said rock-arm is moved and faces at opposite ends of said oblique face which act to positively hold said member from vibration when said rock-arm is at either limit of its movement, substantially as set forth.

10. In a. typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and type, of a shift frame for the platen arranged to oscillate about an axis in rear of the platen, cooperating relatively movable parts one of which has a reversely curved cam face which is held in sliding engagement with said other part, one of said parts being connected to the front central portion of said shift frame, means for moving said other part in one direction from one position to an-' other, and means for causing the return movement of said movable part, said cooperating parts acting to shift said shift frame when said movable part is moved and to automatically hold said shift frame from vibration when said movable part is in either of its rest positions, substantially as set forth.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and a series of typebars each having a plurality of t pe, of a shift frame for the platen arrange to oscil-' HARVEY A. MOYER.

Witnesses:

Orro A. SCHILLY, ARTHUR K. Lnsnnn. 

